The lunar eclipse, or total lunar eclipse, will occur on March 3, 2026. This is a rare astronomical event that will coincide with the Hindu holiday Holi, which is full of colors. People in India and across the world are excited about it.
What will happen on March 3?
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the Earth will be between the Sun and the Moon and the Moon will be in the Earth’s shadow. When the full Moon moves into Earth’s deep shadow or penumbra, this alignment causes a total lunar eclipse. The Moon looks red most of the time because sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere. That is why it is called ‘blood moon’.
Astronomical data shows that this is the first lunar eclipse of the year 2026. This is one of several eclipses that can be seen in the Americas, Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Indian subcontinent.Indian Standard Time (IST) is the time of India.
- The eclipse on March 3 will begin in the afternoon and end in the evening. This will last for a few hours.
- The eclipse will start at around 3:20 pm Indian time.
- The best time to view the eclipse will be between 6:33 pm to 6:40 pm Indian time.
- The eclipse will end at 6:47 pm Indian time.
On the other hand, in India the moon rises late in the evening. The only part of the eclipse that you will be able to see is the last part, which will be around moonrise. This will happen between 6:20 pm and 6:30 pm Indian time in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.People in northeastern states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Bengal will be able to see the eclipse better as the moon will rise earlier there.
which people in India will be able to see
When the totality phase ends and the Moon appears very red, most people in India will be able to see only parts of the eclipse. This happens because the Moon will begin to rise while the eclipse is going on.For example, people in Chennai will be able to see the last part of the total lunar eclipse for about 31 minutes after sunset. On the other hand, people in Cuttack will be able to see it for a longer period.In Kolkata and parts of eastern India, you will be able to see up to 90% of it. But in big cities in the central and western parts of the country, you will be able to see only a small part of the moon when it rises.
What does the term ‘blood moon’ mean?
The full moon casts a shadow from the Earth and the only light it receives comes from the Earth’s atmosphere. This spreads the light into shorter blue wavelengths and allows longer red wavelengths to shine on the moon’s surface. This is why the moon has an attractive red or coppery color, which is why people call it the “blood moon.”Astronomers have noticed this color change. It is not dangerous to anyone who sees it; It’s just a change in the way things look and feel. Unlike a solar eclipse, you don’t need special eye protection to view a lunar eclipse.
Important for science and astronomy
From a scientific perspective, lunar eclipses are a great time to learn how the Moon and Earth affect each other and how the atmosphere affects them. Scientists can use them to learn how the atmosphere changes sunlight and even make educated guesses about what the atmosphere is made of.This total lunar eclipse is an opportunity for both amateur and professional astronomers to organize events where people can look at the sky, take pictures of the stars and spread social science. Astrologers and other important cultural groups often talk about how the eclipse in Leo occurs in the Purva Phalguni Nakshatra.
Celebrating Holi and other cultural traditions
This phenomenon in the sky is of great significance in India as it occurs on Holi, a holiday that celebrates colors and happiness. The lunar calendar and Phalguna Purnima, which is the full moon, usually tell us when Holi is. This year it is falling on the night of lunar eclipse.Astrologers, cultural critics and Hindu scholars have been talking about celebrations, rituals and the Sutak period, which is a time when people generally do not do good deeds before the eclipse.Many customs say that you should plan some good deeds or religious activities around the eclipse to remain pure. Ways of doing things vary greatly in different groups, families and places. Since the eclipse occurs on a major holiday, people are more interested in it and look at religious calendars more often.
Safety tips and how to see
- You can watch the lunar eclipse without any special filters, but you will need them to watch the solar eclipse. But to make things better:
- The best time is when the sky is clear and you can see the horizon to the east.
- Binoculars or small telescopes will help you see the moon’s changing colors and phases more clearly.
- To get the best view, go to a spot that’s open and away from city lights.
- For those who can’t be there in person, several scientific groups and space services are expected to live stream the event around the world.
What’s next on the calendar for the eclipse?
After the lunar eclipse on March 3, the next major eclipses in India are:
- A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur on 20 February 2027.
- A solar eclipse covering only a portion of the Sun will occur on August 2, 2027.
- There will be more solar and lunar eclipses in 2028 and 2029.
Still, the 2026 eclipse is the easiest to view and the most culturally significant for people in India this year.
